Insurance Blog

Steps to Take When You Need to File an Insurance Claim

Bow Valley Insurance of Calgary has over 36 years of experience as independent insurance brokers working to provide options to our clients. More choice means better value for your insurance dollars.

Prevention is Better Than a Cure

Insured who are claims free i.e. who have fewest claims receive the most attractive rates. Basic preventative measures such as regularly maintaining your car, making sure your clothes dryer vent is clear of lint, and securing your home from burglars, are neither costly nor time consuming. More ways to be inexpensively proactive against having to file a home insurance claim can be as simple as to name a few -trimming away tree branches that could strike your home, being careful around your fireplace and properly maintaining your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

As cautious as you may be, though, there will inevitably be one day when your insurance becomes your lifeline in the aftermath of an unexpected accident or incident. Following an automobile collision, a house fire, or a home burglary, the shock and emotion can make it hard to focus on the details of your coverage, and that’s understandable. You will always have a dedicated account manager you can rely on in times like these at Bow Valley Insurance.

With that in mind, here are a few pointers to keep in mind when you need to make an insurance claim.

Limit Your Damages

Your first step after an accident or occurrence is doing what you can to lessen the impact of the damage. If you are in a fender bender and can safely move your car out of traffic, you should do so. If a tree branch crashes into your picture window, board up or place a tarpaulin into the window to spare your interior walls, floor, and furnishings from possible further damage from water, wind etc. Do whatever you safely can to mitigate against further loss.

Get a Report

Even if you’ve had a seemingly minor accident or a car break in you should still strive to either get a police report filed by an officer, or pick up a reporting form and fill it out as completely as you can, and then file it with the proper authorities, as soon as possible. You’re also best to write down your recollection of the event as soon after the incident as you can. By filing a police report quickly after the accident or incident, you could be capturing important details that may be forgotten when it comes time to resolve your claim.

Assess Your Damages

Especially in cases of fire or theft, detailed record of your possessions can be invaluable. You never want to be in the position of having to rustle up receipts for your home theatre system, or without an appraisal of your cherished jewellery. To start, take a mobile phone video of your possessions and narrate what they are and then mail the footage to a trusted friend or family member.

Contact Bow Valley Insurance

These handy tipsprovide even more ways to save on your home insurance coverage.

Regularly reviewing your current plan can help you get the most you can out of your insurance dollars.Contact us for aquoteon auto, home, and commercial insurance.